Sideways: The World of True North

Sideways is the fourth book in the Speakeasy series, set in Sarina Bowen’s World of True North, but it can be read as a stand-alone. I really enjoyed reading Tracy and Colt’s story. This is an opposites attract romance with a secret identity thrown in. And it worked for me. Tracy comes from a wealthy and political Boston family, but she’s hiding out in Vermont following a rather silly scandal involving her secret dating app and her bother’s public breakup. Tracy is suddenly alone in this little town with almost no money and the need to find some answers as to how her brother’s ex found out she owns the dating app that matched them as a couple. Colt was a brilliant and renowned chef in Boston until a year ago he had a breakdown. He’s been hiding in Colebury ever since, too afraid to cook again. He’s terrified of falling into his old destructive patterns to risk it. He’s extremely grumpy and snarky but not mean. That is, until he meets Cee Cee and his world turns upside down again. This time in a good way. I’m not a fan of the poor rich girl, but Tracy didn’t give out that vibe. She’s intelligent and successful, albeit a bit disconnected from the real world. Her acquaintance with Colt starts in the frenemies territory and evolves, as does her grasp of what it means to have to work for a living and who she wants to be and how she wants to live her life. I really liked her, and I understood why she chose to lie about her real identity. Colt has been living in pain for a long time. And it was really an emotional journey for him, to come out of his hermit ways and start living again. To rediscover himself with Tracy’s help and influence. I loved the pace of the story and the way they help each other heal and grow. They have incendiary chemistry and the banter between them is delightful and witty. I really loved them together. There’s a lot to like about Sideways. I love seeing old friends like Audrey and new friends like Phoebe and Ty. I love the feel of the Speakeasy and the Busy Bean and how they intersect. I love the Vermonty feel of the story, the farmers’ markets and the gardening and the cooking sprees. I had a great time reading this book and the other books in the Speakeasy series. I really want to read them all, and I cannot wait for the next ones.